Our coffee break this morning was extended what we both thought was reasonable as we were transfixed by the bird activity in the garden. I threw a shovel full of mixed seed on the lawn early morning and by mid-morning it had attracted loads of birds, Chaffinch numbers up to 10, 5 Reed Buntings, 2 Stock Doves, a Collared Dove, a couple of Greenfinches and then the icing on the cake was when a couple of Bramblings joined them. A couple of Blackbirds and Dunnocks skirted round the feeding frenzy while on the feeders above, as well as the usual Blue and Great Tits darting backwards and forwards, Greenfinches and Goldfinches squabbled over the perches, a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers visited separately and the feeders were visited by a single Blackcap, Nuthatch and House Sparrow. During the extended coffee break, Woodpigeons, a couple of Magpies, a Carrion Crow and a Wren put in an appearance while a Robin was busily taking leaves up to a ledge in the car port hoping to attract a mate no doubt. 19 species were recorded on our 45 minute break. (MR/LM)